Collection of Short Stories and Poetry

Jaspreet felt like she was dressed as a Christmas tree, with tinsel, baubles and flashing lights. She remembered the tree they had in the living room in her childhood every December that her parents put up. She didn’t know why she had to dress up with a salwar kameez , as she never wore one unless it was a wedding or she was harassed about it. Today was the day she was badgered about it ‘The green one, the one you wore at Preti’s engagement party, put that on’. Her mum said. The green one? She thought which green one? She really didn’t take notice of clothes, she preferred her jeans and she was missing them so much. Her mum grumbled at her and had to fetch it herself and ironed it as though Jaspreet had never ironed her own clothes. The heels that she was wearing were killing her, she could never get her head round wearing them or how other women wore them so comfortably. Her makeup was commented on ‘so pretty you look Jaspreet why don’t you wear it more ...

I was packing for a particular destination But I ended up elsewhere, I wasn’t expecting this new destination But I have ended up here. I was on a road going to a destination But it swerved and crashed, I wasn’t expecting this new destination But I have ended up here. I was making plans and dreams But they have lost and died. I wasn’t expecting this new destination But I have ended up here. I am lost in this new destination I have ended up here, without a choice. I wasn’t expecting this new destination But now I must accept this new place.

Jaspreet felt like she was dressed as a Christmas tree, with tinsel and baubles and lights flashing, one of those retro ones she remembered seeing in the living room every December growing up. She didn’t know why she had to dress up with a salwar kameez on, as she never wore one unless it was a wedding or she was nagged about having to put it on. Today was the day she was nagged about putting one on The green one, the one you wore at Preti’s engagement party , put that one on. Her mum said. The green one? She thought which green one? She really didn’t take notice of clothes, she preferred her jeans and she was missing them so much right now. Her mum grumbled at her and at having to fetch it herself and ironed it as though Jaspreet had never ironed her own clothes. The heels that she was wearing were also killing her, she could never get her head round wearing them or how other women wore them so comfortably. Her makeup was commented on so pretty you look Jas...

If I had known, would I have done what I did?         After my relationship with Dennis had ended I was fed up with men, dating and looking for someone. Dennis was a friend of Kate; I had met him at her Christmas party last year. He was a nice guy at first, but became possessive as he began to call me every day to check where I was going. I felt trapped like a balloon tied to a chair with him, so I finally ended it after four years. I felt drained after the breakup, Kate felt responsible as it was her introduction, as I stayed inside to watch television. Kate was persistent that I should go out and meet someone as it had been a year, but I felt like I had nothing left to give. In July it was her birthday and she was turning thirty and had her new boyfriend Mark. What did I have? I felt obliged that I had to attend; I could feel the butterflies starting to fly as I knew questions would be asked at the par...

I must have the latest gadget, the latest mobile phone I must have, I must have I must update my photographs on my facebook, my profile picture for all to see I must have, I must have. I must have, the most expensive clothes, trainers for others to see I must have, I must have. I must look popular for others; I must look good for them I must have the top job, the best title, the most money I must have, I must have, I must have. I must have lost weight, look really good for others to see What else really matters? I must have, I must have. All I want is to have.

When others left when times were hard All I had left was you, my saviour I was told by others that I was strong But the truth was you carried me, my saviour. I have food, shelter and enough money But you gave me them, my saviour. When others left when times were hard All I have left was you, my saviour. People say they are friends, But they don’t stay or help When times were hard, I had you my saviour. I no longer look outside to others, for all I need is my saviour When others left when times were hard All I had left was you my saviour.

I wander lost, I have no destiny I wander lost, I have no future I wonder lost, I have no hope I am a wanderer I wander lost as I have no home I wander lost through the lives of others I am a wanderer I am a wanderer All I am is a wanderer.

Your hand left mine as I let you go I can still smell you, hear your voice Your memories Tears roll down my cheek, how do I move on? I am strong, I am strong I am told But your memories haunt me I can see you in my dreams Your clothes are still in the closet People say move on But all I have are the memories of you.

Too busy to phone to visit Too busy to ask me how I am Too busy, too busy Too busy to reply an email Too busy to leave a message on the mobile phone Too busy, Too Busy, Too Busy Too busy to care, to have time Too busy just too busy to watch life go by.

My life is like a revolving door People come people go I am like theatre show None one stays they just leave My life is like a revolving door No one stays to stop They pass through my life My life is like a revolving door I wish the door would stop

What is wrong with you? Why don’t you want to get married? Questions, Questions Questions. Rice thrown over the shoulder, her cousin cries All you need is a husband to be happy What is wrong with you? Why don’t you want to get married? Questions, Questions, Questions. Hand taken around the fire, hymns recited Faces beaming, happy couples hand in hand Pushed into a corner, heads are shaking What is wrong with you? Why don’t you want to get married? Questions, Questions, Questions. A beautiful woman, eyes meet, hearts beat Blushed cheeks, palms are sweaty. Secret Answer, nothing wrong, I do want to get married. But to a woman and not a man, cannot say cannot tell. Secret Answer, a secret kept unsaid and hidden.

The old man sat in the park; he moved a Pawn forward and pressed the stop clock. As he moved it, the sky brightened above, as the sun came out from the clouds and shone onto him, like a torch. He had not come into this park before, it was his first time. He had visited other places in different ways. But on this occasion he wore a long beard and his hair was grey. But he was timeless as he glistened in the light like a jewel.  He was wearing a long baggy coat and grey trousers, a chess board was in front of him. In the park, people went by him, with their buggies or with children, people on the telephone, people jogging,  people with briefcases, children with toys, or playing on swings immersed in objects or their watches that kept their attention.  They did not notice him as they were all too busy to say hello or greet him. He sat alone on a bench in the center of the park, no one opposite was playing with him. He moved anot...